North America 1849, from Gold Rush to Warlord

Chapter 108 Father-in-law Forces Marriage (5,000 words)

Without explaining much, after the three of them sat down in the study as host and guest, Ah Zu went straight to the point.

“Mr. Lincoln, I am very clear about the purpose of your visit to San Francisco.”

"You want to drive down the price of penicillin and help me expand penicillin production capacity as soon as possible. Only in this way can more lives be saved."

Azu said in a deep voice, "Your thoughts coincide with mine!"

"Actually, I also want to bring down the price of penicillin and expand its production capacity as soon as possible."

"However, with my current strength, I'm afraid I'm not able to protect this huge gold mine of penicillin."

"Just now, your assistant did a simple calculation. Just from penicillin alone, with an annual production of one million doses, if the price isn't lowered, there's at least a huge profit of tens of millions of dollars a year."

"If I were to increase penicillin production capacity tenfold or a hundredfold, how much money would I make? That would absolutely drive everyone crazy!"

"Of course, Mr. Lincoln, someone who isn't interested in money is an exception!"

Azu said calmly, "However, organizations like the Freemasons have formed a de facto upper class in America. Faced with penicillin, which can bring them enormous wealth, they will definitely use every means to seize it for themselves!"

"On the very first day after you arrived in San Francisco, Mr. Lincoln, the Freemasons approached us, demanding that we transfer 70% of the shares in the pharmaceutical factory!"

“If we don’t agree, those Freemasons will definitely use all their power to suppress our penicillin, boycott our penicillin, and completely cut off our penicillin sales channels… Well, at least in the eastern United States, they are fully capable of doing all of this!”

"Moreover, the Freemasons have also made threats against us!"

"Although their power is negligible in San Francisco and California, as you said, the Freemasons are deeply intertwined with America. The Freemasons are America, and to deal with the Freemasons is to deal with America!"

Azu continued, "I have some influence in San Francisco and California. But if they mobilize the national power of the United States, I simply cannot contend with them!"

"If they really have control over penicillin, I think, given their greed, they will definitely not lower the price of penicillin. They might even deliberately maintain low production capacity to continuously drive up the price and make more profits."

"Although I also want to make money, I am far less greedy than they are! My original intention in creating penicillin was the same as Mr. Lincoln's: to save more people's precious lives."

Azu continued, "Mr. Lincoln, I asked you yesterday if you had ever thought about becoming president, because I think that only if you become president could you possibly contend with such a powerful organization as the Freemasons!"

"Mr. Lincoln, as you can see with your own eyes, I now possess considerable financial resources, sufficient to provide all the material support for your presidential campaign!"

"At the heart of American power, I need a powerful friend! And that friend, I hope, is you—President Abraham Lincoln!!!"

Finally, Azu concluded: "Only when Mr. Lincoln, at the core of power in America, can exert some restraint on such a powerful organization as the Freemasons and withstand some of the pressure from them, can I freely expand the production capacity of penicillin and at the same time lower its price to benefit all mankind!"

After listening to Azu's long narration, Lincoln fell into a long silence.

Abraham Lincoln was pondering all these possibilities and weighing the pros and cons.

After presenting his idea, Azu continued, "Mr. Lincoln, if you agree to my proposal, I will provide you with absolutely sufficient campaign funds to establish a series of newspapers in the East to cheer on your campaign and expose the dark secrets of Freemasonry."

"Furthermore, I will invest in establishing a security company in the East, specifically to provide security for you and your friends, so you don't have to worry about organizations like the Freemasons threatening your personal safety!"

Azu continued his analysis: "As far as I know, the current President of the United States, Zachary Taylor, is a Whig. He is a national hero in the Mexican-American War and was elected president based on his military achievements. Of course, he is also a Freemason."

"However, President Zachary Taylor's health is worrying, and it is unlikely that he will be able to hold on until the end of this year!"

This is the result of Azu's analysis, combining his memories from later generations with various pieces of information collected from the East.

"If President Zachary Taylor dies during his term, he will be succeeded as president by the current vice president, Mr. Millard Fillmore."

Abraham Lincoln nodded and said, “Yes, it’s an open secret that President Zachary Taylor is in poor health. Vice President Millard Fillmore, like me, is a Whig.”

"Furthermore, Vice President Millard Fillmore participated in the anti-Freemasonry movement when he was young. He is not a Freemason, therefore, his political views are similar to mine, and we have a fairly close relationship."

Azu calmly replied, "If President Zachary Taylor were to pass away and Mr. Millard Fillmore were to become president, then, Mr. Lincoln, would you have the opportunity to become vice president?"

"Me? The Vice President?" Abraham Lincoln was deeply shocked by the young Chinese man's abrupt and bold thinking.

“Yes!” Azu said calmly, “Mr. Lincoln, I will provide you with sufficient funds to focus on your political activities. Moreover, I will establish a newspaper in the East to promote you, and the first step will be to push you to the position of vice president.”

"This presidential term ends in 1853. In these three years, Mr. Lincoln, I hope that you can accumulate enough political capital for yourself as Vice President so that you can become President of the United States in the next election!"

Abraham Lincoln never expected that this overly ambitious young Chinese man would not only support his bid for the presidency, but also design his political path!

Lincoln couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Li, why do you support me like this? Is it just for penicillin? Is it just for the Freemasons?"

Azu replied, "Penicillin and Freemasonry are only one of the reasons! Mr. Lincoln, I mainly believe that the abolitionism you have been so vigorously promoting is the only way for America to become a modern and civilized nation!"

"You should know that in China, slavery was abolished more than two thousand years ago."

"And more than two thousand years later, in the United States, which prides itself on being a modern democratic country, widespread and cruel slavery still exists! This is absolutely a symbol of inhumanity, undemocratic practices, and a lack of freedom!"

"Therefore, Mr. Lincoln, I earnestly hope that you will become the President of the United States and fully promote the abolitionist movement!!!"

Ah Zu couldn't wait for the American Civil War to break out, to fight until everyone was brain-dead, exhausted, and battered, because only then would he have a chance to grow stronger.

Otherwise, his territory would be limited to the California region at most!

Even California will eventually face encroachment and suppression from the United States, making it impossible for it to achieve its desired goals.

Historically, Abraham Lincoln did not successfully run for president until eleven years later in 1861.

Azu felt it necessary to bring this historical process forward, as he couldn't wait more than ten years.

If Abraham Lincoln had been able to win the presidential election in 1853, would the Civil War have started earlier?

Ah Zu was extremely excited!

Abraham Lincoln stared intently into the eyes of the young Chinese man opposite him.

Lincoln saw nothing but sincerity in Azu's eyes!

“Mr. Li, I never imagined that you would be so concerned about the future of the United States, aside from your own interests!”

Abraham Lincoln remarked, "Mr. Lee, you love America far more than many Americans do!"

Azu nodded emphatically and said with utmost sincerity, "Once you come to the land of America, you are an American! Mr. Lincoln, I believe that only under your leadership can America truly become a modern nation and truly move towards freedom and democracy!"

Abraham Lincoln was genuinely moved by Azou's words: "If everyone who comes to America were like you, Mr. Li, what a wonderful thing that would be!"

"Then...!" Azu pressed, "Mr. Lincoln, have we reached an agreement on our future goals?"

Abraham Lincoln nodded calmly: "Mr. Li, I see no reason to refuse your kindness! We share common goals, whether it's penicillin, Freemasonry, or the abolitionist movement!"

"With the support of a like-minded ally like you, I believe we will definitely achieve all our goals as soon as possible!" *Snap!*

Azu and Lincoln clasped hands tightly together.

And the history of America will be completely changed because of this firm handshake!
This is a historic moment!
Two hands clasped together for a very, very long time!
They saw sincerity and determination in each other's eyes!
But only one of them is truly sincere!
After a long silence, the two hands finally parted, and Azu said, “Mr. Lincoln, you need to return to the East as soon as possible, return to Washington! Be sure to forge a close alliance with the current Vice President.”

"Perhaps it won't be long before you become the Vice President of the United States, Mr. Lincoln!"

As he spoke, Azu got off the desk and took out a heavy briefcase: "Mr. Lincoln, this contains my first campaign donation to support you!"

Lincoln took the briefcase, opened it, and found neatly stacked thick piles of American dollars inside, all of them one hundred-dollar bills.

Lincoln was taken aback and asked, "Mr. Li, how much is this in US dollars?"

"Here is six hundred thousand US dollars! It's mainly for setting up a newspaper in the East. I think six hundred thousand US dollars should be enough to start five or six large newspapers, right?"

"Six hundred thousand dollars, that's...that's way too much!"

As he spoke, Lincoln made a gesture as if to push the briefcase back to Azu.

“No!” Azu pressed down on the briefcase and pushed it towards Lincoln again: “Six hundred thousand dollars, not a penny more! This is just the initial funding; compared to putting Mr. Lincoln on the presidential throne, this amount is insignificant!”

At Azu's current rate of earning money, not to mention other industries, the gold and penicillin he produces every day can earn him about five or six hundred thousand US dollars a day.

Azu continued, "I estimate that President Zachary Taylor may only have a few months left to live. Therefore, Mr. Lincoln, you must act quickly!"

"Form a close alliance with Vice President Millard Fillmore as soon as possible, and establish several influential newspapers!"

"Tomorrow, I will arrange for the 'Joan of Arc' to be sent to take you, Mr. Lincoln, back to the East as quickly as possible."

Abraham Lincoln was taken aback again: "What? Even the 'Joan of Arc' belongs to you, Mr. Li?"

"Yes, I only have a small fleet of a hundred merchant ships under my command, nothing to brag about...!"

"A hundred merchant ships? Or just a small fleet?"

Abraham Lincoln's wealth and confidence repeatedly pushed the boundaries of Abraham Lincoln's understanding.
-
Early the next morning, Azu personally bid farewell to the "Joan of Arc" and its only two passengers, Abraham Lincoln and his assistant, at Clarke Pier!
Lincoln arrived in San Francisco and, after only three days, immediately began his journey home.

But in just three days, Abraham Lincoln gained so much.

An ally and supporter with unimaginable wealth, a massive campaign fund of six hundred thousand dollars, and a future political direction!

Standing atop the high gunwale of the "Joan of Arc," Abraham Lincoln watched the young Chinese man's figure recede into the distance, and a profound sense of emotion welled up within him.

Never before has anyone helped me so much!
Never before has anyone trusted themselves so completely!
Never before has anyone ever had such a profound impact on me!

Although this trip to the West was extremely short, Abraham Lincoln felt that he had undergone a profound and soul-stirring baptism!

From that moment on, Abraham Lincoln was completely determined to achieve his ultimate goal and embarked on a long journey without hesitation!
Meanwhile, Peter Parker and Edgar Allan Poe, who had come to see Azu off, were filled with doubt about Azu's choice.

"Azu, do you really think so highly of Abraham Lincoln? Can he really become president? Can he really abolish slavery? Can he really help our cause?"

Faced with questions from his future father-in-law, Parker Parker, Azu calmly replied, "Mr. Lincoln will not only become president, but he will become the greatest president in American history! He will not only abolish slavery, but he will also be a figure of vital importance to our future!"

Hearing what Azu said, Edgar Allan Poe, who was also full of doubts, did not say anything more.

Facts have repeatedly proven that this young Chinese man's foresight and wisdom have never been wrong!
Therefore, Edgar Allan Poe chose to believe without reservation.

Parker Parker has not yet developed such strong confidence in Azu.

So he pressed on, "Azu, perhaps you're right! But right now, how are we supposed to deal with the Freemasons, with those two guys?"

Azu replied, "Don't they want pharmaceutical factories and penicillin? I'll talk to them myself and see what tricks they can come up with."

"But what if...!"

"There's no chance of anything going wrong! At most, we won't sell our penicillin to the East! With our current production capacity, once we make a name for ourselves, the whole world will be begging for our products. We can just ignore the East!"

"But if this happens, many people in the eastern United States will die tragically from the torment of disease!" Parker Parker remained true to his compassionate missionary mindset.

Especially since Parker Parker and Edgar Allan Poe's hometowns were both in the East, they absolutely did not want to see this situation occur.

"Don't worry, my Mr. Parker, this is just the worst-case scenario. There's a way, there will definitely be a way."

“Well, okay, there’s one more thing…!” Parker Parker glanced at Edgar Allan Poe beside him, then hesitated.

Seeing this, Edgar Allan Poe tactfully stepped away, allowing Azu and Peter Parker to speak alone.

“Ah Zu!” Parker lowered his voice: “You and my daughter, Vivian, have you already tasted the fruit?”

"Ah... this!" Caught red-handed, Ah Zu felt extremely embarrassed, not knowing whether to admit it or not.

“Don’t try to fool me!” Parker Parker continued in a low voice, “I’m a doctor, I can tell at a glance whether someone is a virgin or not!”

“I…!” Azu really didn’t know how to tell his future father-in-law everything.

"Hmph, I'll take that as an admission!"

Like any father, it was impossible for Parker Parker not to be angry and furious when he watched his precious son being taken away.

Especially now, without any official status or recognition, Parker Parker is absolutely furious!

When he first learned of this fact, Parker Parker was indeed very angry.

But now the die is cast, and his anger is of no use.

So Parker Parker suppressed his anger and decided to have a serious talk with the kid.

"Azu, what are you going to do next?"

Ah Zu scratched his head, feeling at a loss for words for the first time, so he tentatively asked, "Then, Mr. Boya, what do you mean...?"

"Get married! You two should get married right now!" Parker Parker said. "I don't want to wait until Vivian is pregnant with my grandson and has a big belly before we have a wedding!"

Deep down, Parker Parker had already fully accepted Azu as his future son-in-law.

Although he was Chinese and a non-believer, after spending the past six months together, Parker Parker felt that only an absolutely outstanding young man like Azu was truly worthy of his beautiful daughter.

Moreover, Parker Parker also saw the other girls surrounding Azu, each one charming and alluring. Driven by this sense of urgency, Mr. Parker wanted to marry his daughter to this young Chinese man as soon as possible!

(End of this chapter)